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Factory Mattress helps band get to Fiesta Bowl

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 10, 2005

Austin, Texas — Steve and Lisa Frey didn't buy candy bars to help send a local high school band on a trip. Instead, the owners of bedding retailer Factory Mattress Sales/Direct contributed $5,000 to rent the band itself.

It was all part of a novel fundraising drive by the James Bowie High School band, which hoped to raise enough money for a trip to play in the National Band Championship, held during college football's Fiesta Bowl festivities in Tempe, Ariz.

Instead of candy or magazines, the band decided to sell its own talent on eBay. It offered a two-hour performance.

The Freys, who have owned Factory Mattress Sales/Direct for 27 years and have 10 stores in Austin and San Antonio, regularly support community causes. They and their employees kicked off the bidding at $5,000.

A meat distributor outbid them, but the Factory Mattress team decided to donate the money anyway. In return, the band gave a second performance. The retailer had them play at a local charitable event, the Cowboy Breakfast, which raises prize money and scholarships for children who take part in the Austin Rodeo.

The results: Bowie High raised enough money to finance their trip to Arizona, where it won first place in the national band competition, and was named grand champion of the Fiesta Bowl parade.

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